Super Falcons' World Cup failure: SWAN demands urgent overhaul of women's football
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called for an urgent and comprehensive overhaul of women’s football following the Super Falcons’ unprecedented failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
SWAN described the setback as a major concern for a country that has historically dominated African women’s football and participated in every previous edition of the Women’s World Cup.
The position formed part of the resolutions reached at the association’s 2026 Triennial National Delegates Congress held in Kaduna.
In its communiqué, the Congress “lamented the recent and shocking decline in the fortunes of women’s football in Nigeria,” particularly the failure of the Super Falcons to secure a place at the next World Cup.
The association said the development should serve as a wake-up call for football authorities and trigger fundamental reforms across the women’s football pyramid.
SWAN therefore demanded “urgent strategic planning, investment and systematic overhaul of women’s football,” covering grassroots development, youth pathways, the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), coaching, player welfare, facilities and national-team preparation.
The Congress called for a comprehensive and sustainable national women’s football development plan with measurable targets and adequate funding.
It said such a framework was necessary to “restore Nigeria’s leadership position in Africa and competitiveness globally.”
The association stressed that rebuilding the Super Falcons cannot be achieved through interventions at senior national-team level alone, insisting that attention must also be directed towards grassroots football, youth development, domestic competitions and the professional development of coaches.
SWAN further called for improved welfare and working conditions for players, better facilities and systematic preparation for international competitions.
The association warned that Nigeria’s traditional dominance of African women’s football could not be taken for granted and urged football authorities to treat the development of the women’s game as a long-term national priority.
It maintained that a properly funded and measurable development programme would be essential to rebuilding Nigeria’s women’s football structures and ensuring the Super Falcons return stronger to the global stage.
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